Historic Corvettes - Fantastic Four

The RM Amelia auction is very selective in its offerings, as evidenced by this spectacular Corvettes

RM Auctions has long been a part of the annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. The company holds a one-day premier auction on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton hotel in Amelia Island, which serves as the site of the concours. The six-hour event typically features a number of very significant cars, and this year was no exception. Four historic and classic Corvettes were part of an impressive array of the world's finest automobiles.

The most talked about offering was the late Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman's '02 Trans-Am Corvette, which sold for $275,000. Newman was 83 years old when he last drove this car, just one year prior to his death in September 2008. Newman was a passionate racing driver and won numerous sports-car championships in many different vehicles and series.

Riley & Scott built this particular car in 2002 for a race team owned by Tom Gloy. Originally driven by Butch Leitzinger, it secured three Trans-Am victories, five poles, eight Top 5s, and nine Top 10 finishes in the 2002 season. Newman bought it in 2003 and drove it in the SCCA GT-1 category. He won his last race--in Lime Rock, Connecticut--behind the wheel in 2007. The tube-frame racer is powered by a 346ci, 700hp small-block.

Another significant Corvette offered at the Amelia auction was a beautiful '57 Cascade Green example with beige coves. This car has won numerous awards, including Bloomington Gold, NCRS Top Flight, six Best of Shows, and three concours d'elegance victories; it also once served as a VETTE cover car. The powertrain comprises a 250hp fuel-injected 283 paired with a rare two-speed Powerglide automatic. A new owner took it home for $110,000.

The next Vette in line was a '62 Almond Beige roadster with a black top--a color combo applied to only 820 cars that year. It's powered by a 327/250 engine coupled with a four-speed manual and equipped with many premium features. These include a Wonderbar radio, an aluminized exhaust, a courtesy light, heater, sun visors, and windshield washers. This car is also a multiple award winner, including Bloomington Gold and NCRS regional Top Flight Certification. It sold for $101,750.

The final Corvette to cross the block was a '69 race car. It was originally a black, big-block, four-speed street car, but GM stylist and racing driver Randy Wittine converted it into a formidable road-course machine in 1972. Wittine, who was inducted into the NCM Hall of Fame in 2005, added FIA-style wide fender flares, an L88-style hood, and huge racing wheels, along with other track-oriented modifications.

During the car's lengthy racing career, it was driven by the legendary Don Yenko and former Owen Corning Corvette pilot Jerry Thompson. It competed at the Daytona 24-hour and Sebring 12-hour endurance races. The well-preserved racer sold for a disappointing $37,400, well below its expected $75,000-$125,000 selling price. Someone got an excellent bargain.

RM always puts on a professional and well-managed auction. If one is scheduled near you, it would be worth your while to visit and take in the glory of automotive history-- including our favorite, the Corvette.

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Historic Corvettes - Fantastic Four

1 The RM Amelia auction is very selective in its offerings, as evidenced by this spectacular '57 Corvette. Admission is $120 for two people, including a preview and a color catalog for potential buyers.

1 The RM Amelia auction is very selective in its offerings, as evidenced by this spectacular '57 Corvette. Admission is $120 for two people, including a preview and a color catalog for potential buyers.

2 This '62 Almond Beige Corvette has undergone a body-off resto and carries both Bloomington Gold and regional NCRS Top Flight certifications. It sold for $101,750.

3 Each car that RM certifies for its auction process is fitted with this window sticker. It includes lot number, description, and estimated sale price. There's even a QR code that provides more details about the car via smart phone.

4 Each car is typically accompanied by awards and other documentation to help bidders verify its authenticity. The '62's interior was filled with proof of its pedigree.

5 The inside of this '02 Riley & Scott Trans-Am C5 is pure race car. The rollcage is built around the driver, and everything is within easy reach. This tube-frame machine racked up many victories during its long racing career.

6 The C5 was initially campaigned by Butch Leitzinger during the 2002 Trans Am season and purchased by actor Paul Newman the following year. Newman raced it in SCCA events from 2003 to 2007 and won his last race in the car. It crossed the block at $275,000.

7 Newman's cars all carried this decal of a plucked chicken and the Latin words for "In his name all men begin to shine." The Corvette also shows the actor's age--83--when he last drove the car.

8 Most Trans-Am cars were not equipped with a door. This car had a small demi-door added to help Newman get in and out of the confined cockpit more quickly.

9 Fewer than 30 '57 fuel-injected Corvettes were equipped with the two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. This Cascade Green example with beige coves is one of them. The car has collected numerous awards, including Bloomington and NCRS certificates.

11 Drivers of Powerglide-equipped Corvettes had to be very careful to not engage Reverse when shifting into low range. Park is located all the way at the bottom, as seen here.

12 The '56 and '57 models' through-the-fender exhausts looked stellar but were prone to rattles.

13 This '69 Corvette racer was driven by Randy Wittine, Don Yenko, and Jerry Thompson. It raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring before being restored to its current condition in 2009. It was expected to sell for $75,000-$125,000 but only brought $37,400.

14 The unique '57 ended up selling for $110,000. Every auction is televised in HD video and broadcast worldwide.